Traditional Italian Penne All’arrabbiata Recipe

This traditional Italian penne all’Arrabbiata recipe is a classic, hearty spicy Italian pasta recipe. This sauce has many variations, probably as many as there are Italian families or households. Most contain some spices that give kick and flavor. This arrabbiata pasta recipe uses ground turkey since it is a lean, readily available meat. Because we’re using chef’s secret tips such as using bacon fat to brown our vegetables and toasting our tomato paste and spices for extra caramelization and flavor, we can be confident that we are injecting plenty of flavor in this pasta arrabbiata recipe.

Equipment Needed for this Penne all’Arrabbiata recipe:

• Knife and cutting board

• Spoon

• Bowl

• Large skillet or saucepan

Ingredients for this Penne all’Arrabbiata recipe:

• 1 lb ground turkey

• 3 lb cooked pasta

• 2-4 slices of bacon, chopped

• Salt and pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1/2 C shredded carrot

• 1 stalk celery, chopped

• 1 C white mushrooms, crimini or baby bellas, roughly chopped

• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 tsp ground fennel seed

• 1 tbsp minced Rosemary

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or more to your taste

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1/2 C red wine

• 1 C chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 jar tomato sauce

Instructions for this Penne all’Arrabbiata recipe:

Cook the turkey and arrabbiata sauce

1. Place the ground turkey into a bowl. Add a generous spoonful of tomato sauce. Mix together to combine. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate for a few minutes.

2. Stack the bacon slices atop of each other and mince them into small pieces. Set aside.

3. Chop the carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms into similar size pieces, or a large dice. Set aside.

4. Bring the saucepan/skillet to medium high temperature. Add the bacon and cook until the pieces are browned and have released their juices and fats.

5. Add the chopped onions, carrots and mushrooms to the pan. Stir to coat and combine. If necessary, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and sprinkle with salt. Allow to cook for at least 10 minutes so that the vegetables release their delicious juices and the flavors are given time to intensify together in the pan.

6. When the celery pieces are wilted, add the minced garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir.

7. Once the garlic becomes fragrant, when you can smell it cooking, add the ground turkey and stir, cooking until the turkey is no longer pink.

8. Move the ingredients to one side of the pan, add just a touch of olive oil, and then place the tomato paste into the empty part of the pan. Stir until it becomes softer and even browner. Immediately add the wine and let simmer for five minutes.

9. Add the rest of the tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and cook for another 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

10. Now, add the the sauce and mix with some cooked pasta. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.